ODNR Lake Erie Fishing Report 5/21/03: OH

Article Posted: May 21, 2003

Northeast winds over the past week have led to stained waters around most ofthe western basin. Walleye fishing has been best on the reef complex nearPort Clinton, Clinton Reef west of Catawba, and Gull Island Shoal north ofKelley's Island. Purple jigs are still producing some limit catches on thereef complex. In open water areas weight forward spinners or bottombouncers with a worm harness and gold blade have been productive. Themajority of walleye caught have ranged from 17 to 25", with a few fisharound 30".

Yellow perch have been caught northwest of Kelley's Island and aroundClinton Reef west of Catawba. Spreaders tipped with shiners have been mostproductive for 8 to 11" fish.

Kelley's Island and the Bass Islands have continued to be the best areas tocatch smallmouth bass. Brown salted tube jigs and soft craws have been usedto catch fish between 15 and 20".

Central Basin-

Smallmouth bass fishing has been best on Ruggles Reef near Vermilion and innearshore breakwall and harbor areas near Lorain, Ashtabula and Conneaut.Fish measuring over 14" have been caught on tube jigs and jigs tipped withminnows.

Yellow perch are being caught within 2 to 3 miles of both Lorain andAshtabula. Spreaders tipped with shiners are taking fish up to 13".

Walleye have been caught around Ruggles Reef near Vermilion by trollersusing jet divers and spoons. Fish have ranged from 18 to 30".